Revolutionary rehab now in Danvers

Friday

Apr 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 26, 2013 at 2:42 AM

There’s a new kid on the rehabilitation block — the first center to be built in Danvers in more than 20 years. Hathorne Hill, a $14 million project, showcases a new design that offers the latest in healthcare concepts for patients and families on the North Shore of Boston.

Sam Trapani/Wicked Lcoal Danvers

There’s a new kid on the rehabilitation block — the first center to be built in Danvers in more than 20 years. Hathorne Hill, a $14 million project, showcases a new design that offers the latest in healthcare concepts for patients and families on the North Shore of Boston.

The newly opened Hathorne Hill Rehabilitation and Care Center, located on a nine-acre site across from Beverly Hospital at Danvers, has been purpose built to replace the clinical feel of the existing model of healthcare rehabilitations services and instead offers a “household” concept. The personalized model of care is designed to help patients recover quickly — many within 30 days or less — from orthopedic or reconstructive surgery, trauma or neurological conditions.

Administrator of Hathorne Hill, Christine Baldini, said they strive for a residential experience for their guests.

“We asked ourselves, what would we want — or want for our loved ones if they had to have a knee replaced, for example, and needed to recover somewhere? We started from there — and we built it for comfort,” Baldini said.

The building, now part of Genesis HealthCare, embraces a shift in the way rehabilitation services are delivered. The center features three distinct “neighborhoods” that will accommodate up to 40 patients each and is Medicare and Medicaid certified.

The “Orchard” neighborhood is for long-term care, the “Putnam” is for long-term and some short-term care, and the “Endicott” area, which opened on March 4, if for shorter stays. There are 36 private rooms and 42 private shared suites. Each room enjoys a private bath, flat screen TV with Direct TV included, phone that includes local calls, temperature controls, and 100 percent Wi-Fi in the facility. Art and photographs depicting older shots of Danvers and Boston dot the walls and the décor of the center is light and subtle. The hallways are wide and open with purposeful lighting that is energy efficient, throughout the building.

The neighborhood settings features home-like amenities such as fireplaces, with access to outdoor spaces and attractive courtyard settings. The 72,000 square-foot healthcare center servicing the greater Danvers area can serve up to 120 patients and residents. Each neighborhood boasts its own bistro-style dining room for an inviting dinner experience. Baldini said they notice more residents now enjoying eating in the dining room, creating a community like atmosphere, although room service is also offered.

One of the most noticeable differences visitors will experience at Hathorne Hill versus other rehabilitation facilities is the quiet.

“We are a no page facility — there are no beepings from machines or loud pages over the speakers. Everything goes to private pagers — unless there is an emergency,” Baldidni said. “It promotes a restful, more peaceful atmosphere to recover in.”

Similar to a hotel, Hathorne has a “back of the house” and a “front of the house.” All the cooking, activity, and work to run the facility goes on behind the scenes in the back of the house so residents in the front of the house have a calm environment.

Cedar Glen residents find a new home

Hathorne Hill Rehabilitation Center will also offer limited long-term residential senior care. One of the new long-term neighborhoods is already filled with 63 residents who were transferred from Cedar Glen in Danvers.

Cedar Glen was originally built in 1965 as a hotel before serving as a skilled nursing center and despite upgrades, needed more improvements, so it was decided the facility would close and residents would move to Hathorne Hill. Residents were transferred to the new state of the art facility at Hathorne Hill last month. The relocation process was coordinated with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Baldini said the transition was been smooth for the residents who moved in and that she has received a lot of positive feedback about their new home.

“They went from a small facility to a much larger one and that has taken a little adjustment. But they are enjoying the bright, cheery, new feel of this building,” Baldini said adding, “We had a welcome party every day the week people were moving in. They were so excited to see their new home.”

For long-term nursing care, Twin Oaks, another Genesis HealthCare facility, remains open and will focus on their unique Alzheimer's Care Unit that specializes in successful resident-based activity programs.

Many of the nurses and physicians who were at Cedar Glen also came to the new facility. Nurse Practitioner Matt Halverson is impressed with the level of care at Hathorne Hill.

“We are very fortunate to have such a skilled team of nurses and doctors not to mention this beautiful, new state-of-the art building,” Halverson said noting that Dr. Spencer Amesbury, a well-known North Shore doctor, is the center’s medical director. The facility is also tied into the Beverly Hospital computer system so all medical records are easily accessible, not to mention the convenient location for many tests and procedures at Beverly Hospital at Danvers across the street.

Baldini said Hathorne Hill strives to treat patients using a holistic approach and the Rejuvenations Spa on site is an example of that. The spa offers haircuts, shampoos, color, waxing as well as nail treatments, massages and facials for an additional fee.

“Residents can work hard at their rehabilitation and then treat themselves to the salon,” Baldini said. “Feeling human while recovering is important.”

Safety first

Besides all the comfort and special touches at Hathorne Hill, it is the therapists who work with patients to help regain skills lost during illness or surgeries that patients are most thankful for. The center features a cutting edge “rehab recovery neighborhood” which includes a rehabilitation gym and “practice” kitchen, living, laundry and dining areas with working appliances and different floor types to incorporate the tasks people need to master to live at home safety.

“Preparing a meal, doing laundry, navigating stairs — we have them do it all here before going home. We want them to be safe and to reduce re-hospitalization,” Baldini said. “We focus on patient-driven scheduling, creating an individualized treatment plan for them. They have a nurse navigator who will be with them from admission to after discharge with a full re-entry program. We want them to go home and be safe.” Physical, occupational and speech therapy are offered as well as pain and wound management.

Cecilia Limas, a Middleton resident, had knee and hip issues that required rehabilitation stay after her operations.

“My daughter went to look around at the different facilities in the area and when she decided on Hathorne Hill she came to me and told me, ‘Ma, you’re going to like it there!’” Limas said. “As soon as I got there I saw the layout of the building and loved it — it feels like a home not a hospital.”

Limas said that the suite recovery experience offered her more privacy and independence. “When you’re sick that is what you need. The aides, nurses, social worker — they were all wonderful. The kitchen staff made it feel like home for me. Everyone is there to help you and they become like your friends,” Limas said, now completing her recovery at home. She plans to go back to visit Hathorne Hill and thank the staff for their care.

“We think the atmosphere helps with recovery and resting in a peaceful place between therapies is key,” Nurse Halvorsen said. “Our approach to tailor a plan for exactly what each person needs to get home makes the difference.”

For information on Hathorne Hill call 978-380-8994 or visit hathornehill.com.